Wait! We have detected that JavaScript is disabled. JavaScript needs to be enabled to show all information on the Sanctuary Care website. Here are instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Born in Birmingham, Doris grew up in Halesowen with her adopted family. She did however remain close with her birth family, in particular her late sister Rose.

What’s her secret?

When asked what her secret was to surpassing 100 she said: “I have kept a very active life, especially dancing. I was involved with a lot of social clubs and committees so kept busy socialising with friends. I used to do a lot of day trips and keep fit with Age Concern.”

Doris left school at 14, and went on to gain shorthand, typing and office skills leading to an office based career working at Hymatic Engineering Co until her retirement at the age of 60.

Finding love

It was love at first site for Doris and husband-to-be Harold, who met on a camping weekend with the church. The couple married in the October of 1943, honeymooning for two days in Ombersley.

Doris and Harold moved to Redditch in 1945, where Harold worked at High Duty Alloys. Doris gave birth to their only child, son Peter in 1950, and now at 102 years old her family has blossomed to include three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Harold sadly passed away in 1994, but not before the couple celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1993, surrounded by family and friends. Doris continued to live independently at their Winyates Green home until 2017 when she moved to Brambles.

“She is an incredible lady”

The Sanctuary Care home’s activities leader, Fiona Morsy said: “She is an incredible lady and is always the first of our residents to take part in trips out and all of our exercise sessions. Doris loves doing exercising and is amazingly agile - you would never guess she is 102.”